APRIL 2018businessinfocusmagazine.comCONTINUOUS DIVERSIFIED GROWTHCity of Stamford, CTOUTSHINING THE COMPETITIONStar ThermoplasticsPULLING ITS WEIGHT FOR MEMBERSNorth American Trailer Dealers Association (NATDA)Conair. 56 Years in Business. 30 Years in Stamford, Connecticut.Thirty years ago, Lee Rizzuto, founder, owner and Chairman of the Board of Conair Corporation, realized Stamford, Connecticut, was a smart place to invest in the future.Rizzuto and his parents started the small hair appliance company in 1959 in Brooklyn. In 1985, Conair moved its corporate, sales and marketing offices to Stamford. The move took advantage of the opportunities the city offered, including a top-quality, educated workforce, increasing property values, and room for growth.Throughout the years, Conair expanded along with the city in which it has maintained a significant presence. Today Conair does business in over 120 countries on 6 continents, with a focus on innovation and emerging technology that has made Conair a leading brand in the personal care and small kitchen appliance industries. In 2009, to honor the company’s 50 years in business and 25th year in Stamford, Connecticut’s then–Governor M. Jodi Rell proclaimed October 9, 2009 Conair Corporation Day. Stamford’s then–Mayor Dannel P. Malloy (now governor of Connecticut) joined Rell in applauding the company that had contributed so much to the Stamford community. Conair and Stamford continue to grow together, with Conair adding a new Stamford facility of over 168,000 square feet to its current 165,000 square foot office space. Both company and city share a vision to improve everyday lives – Conair with its innovative products, Stamford with its prime location. And both are committed to make it happen.Conair Corporation • One Cummings Point Road • Stamford CT 06902 • 203.351.9000®CONAIR INTERPLA K S C Ü N C I A L L E G R O TRAVEL SMARTCONAIRPRO BABYLIS S R U S K C U I S I N ART WARING15cp015447 business in focus ad.indd 16/26/15 11:32 AMEDITOR’S CORNERWelcome, readers, to a new issue of Business in Focus. This month, we take a closer look at the role of social media in business. Author Samita Sarkar posits that social media is a place where “the line between personal and profes-sional is blurred,” and it is true that some of the most effective social media presences seem to be those that have the human touch. When we as consum-ers engage with brands and their representatives, we are often drawn to humour and frankness. We were charmed when we learned that KFC’s Twitter account follows only the five Spice Girls and six users named Herb. We are endeared to companies who interact with us on our level, who are in on the joke, and who are prepared to have a conversation with us.From a company’s perspective, it can be a tricky balancing act. Nobody wants their employees engrossed in social media all day, yet there is value to be had in devoting some time, or even some dedicated personnel, to it – not to mention in provid-ing proper training in its use in the workplace. And, as Samita writes in It’s Complicated – but it doesn’t have to be, “with three billion users, not being present on social media means missing out on an important way of reaching many potential clients who may otherwise never hear of your business.” Social media is a tool like any other. It can be abused, certainly; but used effectively, it can be even more valuable than tradi-tional advertising, allowing consumers to put a face on major brands and companies that once seemed beyond our reach.Tim Hocken EditorSuite 300, 7071 Bayers Rd. | Halifax, NS | B3L 2C2 | CanadaP: 1-647-479-2163 | E: info@fmgpublishing.comEDITORTim HockenDEPUTY EDITORJaime McKeeDIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTRobert ChambersDIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONSColin O’NeillREGIONAL MANAGERSAdam Cameron | Ciaran DunneMANAGER OF TRAINING & DEVELOPMENTNate SeligRESEARCH MANAGERSMarvin Leyte | Thoshlae Smith | Rosie WalkerBrad Mike | Mark Gormley | Tom EnglandChristian Cooke | Mark Peters | Naomi McLaughlinEarle Fergusson | Alan Keogh | Afrah El Hack | Erin WellsPRODUCTION COORDINATORClaire ChambersGRAPHIC DESIGNERSEbic Tristary | Yoana Ilcheva | Gavin BillingsLindsay Bailey | Akira Arruda | Sarah LeesonOPERATIONS MANAGERJonathan FisherCONTRIBUTING EDITORJessica FerlainoCONTRIBUTING WRITERSNate Hendley | Samita Sarkar | Ryan CartnerMargaret Eaton | Jen Hocken | Pauline MüllerCharline Cormier-Pellerin | Robert HoshowskyAnne Lindert-Wentzell | Mark Golombek | Laura McHargueCOPY EDITORThora SmithSALES & MARKETING Pamela Taylor | Luke Simms | Lucy PalmerKayla Brown | Dean Lucas | Shawn ClarkeCONTROLLERJen HamiltonPUBLISHERJeff HockenConair. 56 Years in Business. 30 Years in Stamford, Connecticut.Thirty years ago, Lee Rizzuto, founder, owner and Chairman of the Board of Conair Corporation, realized Stamford, Connecticut, was a smart place to invest in the future.Rizzuto and his parents started the small hair appliance company in 1959 in Brooklyn. In 1985, Conair moved its corporate, sales and marketing offices to Stamford. The move took advantage of the opportunities the city offered, including a top-quality, educated workforce, increasing property values, and room for growth.Throughout the years, Conair expanded along with the city in which it has maintained a significant presence. Today Conair does business in over 120 countries on 6 continents, with a focus on innovation and emerging technology that has made Conair a leading brand in the personal care and small kitchen appliance industries. In 2009, to honor the company’s 50 years in business and 25th year in Stamford, Connecticut’s then–Governor M. Jodi Rell proclaimed October 9, 2009 Conair Corporation Day. Stamford’s then–Mayor Dannel P. Malloy (now governor of Connecticut) joined Rell in applauding the company that had contributed so much to the Stamford community. Conair and Stamford continue to grow together, with Conair adding a new Stamford facility of over 168,000 square feet to its current 165,000 square foot office space. Both company and city share a vision to improve everyday lives – Conair with its innovative products, Stamford with its prime location. And both are committed to make it happen.Conair Corporation • One Cummings Point Road • Stamford CT 06902 • 203.351.9000®CONAIR INTERPLA K S C Ü N C I A L L E G R O TRAVEL SMARTCONAIRPRO BABYLIS S R U S K C U I S I N ART WARING15cp015447 business in focus ad.indd 16/26/15 11:32 AM“When we as consumers engage with brands and their representatives, we are often drawn to humour and frankness.” 3 INSIDE APRIL Communities, Economics & Tourism Focus on: ColoradoFocus on: Florida Workforce and Economic Development Manufacturing, Engineering & Design 4 COVER STORY 10IT’S COMPLICATED - BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BESocial Media in the Modern WorkplaceWhen used productively, social media can help your business grow and thrive. from the firms We Are Social and Hootsuite reveals that over four billion people all over the world use the internet—more than half the global population—and most internet users are also active on social media.CONTENTSHealth & Well-Being Construction, Infrastructure & Utilities Hospitality, Food & Events Education, Training & Consulting Transportation, Supply Chain & Logistics Focus on: North American Trailer Dealers Association (NATDA) 5 Are you planning an event relating to North America’s growing Business Industry?To get your event listed in Business in Focus, please contact us at least six to eight weeks before the event takes place or call 1-647-479-2163NATIONAL CORPORATE ETHICS AND INTEGRITY SUMMIT 10 – 11 April, Toronto, ONThe National Corporate Ethics and Integrity Summit will examine the latest developments in ethics. It will bring together corporate leaders and ethics practitioners to provide them with the insights and tools they need to drive business success. Learn from companies that have had ethical challenges and strengthen your organization’s ethical backbone.For more information LEADING GLOBAL VIRTUAL TEAMS17 – 18 April, Chicago, ILThemed, ‘Create a highly productive business with the right tools, communication and localization,’ this workshop will identify best practices for working virtually, discuss unique challenges and explore practical solutions. Key topics to include Strategies for Leading Virtual Teams, The Impact of Technology, Effective Communication, Challenges in Management of Virtual Teams and Best Practices for Virtual Teams.For more information RESILIENCE 2018 18 – 19 April, Ottawa, ONResilience 2018 will focus on building resilience from an all-hazards perspective for a range of critical infrastructure including transportation, water, telecommunications, government and energy. A range of speakers from all levels of government, the private sector, academia and non-governmental organizations will share their insights into how we can improve the resilience of our critical infrastructure.For more information EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE DESIGN AND THE MODERN WORKPLACE26 – 27 April, Chicago, IL‘Develop the Necessary Skills for Today’s Workplaces’ at this two-day conference. Attendees will experience two days of enlightening, absorbing and practical instruction in how you can make sense of the new workplace and the needs of your current and future employees, and come back to your teams and organizations with inspiration, understanding and tools ready to deploy into your workplaces. For more information MANUFACTURING & TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE & EXPO8 – 10 May, Raleigh, NCThis 3-day event focuses on the key elements of advanced manufacturing: lean and continuous improvement, leadership, technology integra-tion, talent management and best practices to achieve operational excellence. The expo will allow attendees to experience some of today’s most disruptive technologies and industrial products/solutions innovations first-hand.For more information INDUSTRY EVENTS6 INDUSTRY NEWSFORD ISSUES TWO RECALLSFord has recalled nearly 1.4 million mid-sized cars for issues related to steering. Steering bolts can loosen over time, causing the steering wheel to detach from the steering column and rendering vehicles uncontrollable. Ford will resolve the issue at no expense to the owner. The company is aware of two related crashes and one injury related to this defect. This recall extends to 2014 to 2017 Ford Fusions built at its Flat Rock assembly plant between August 2013 and February 2016; 2014 to 2018 Ford Fusions that were built at its Hermosillo assembly plant between July 2013 and March 2018; and 2014 to 2018 Lincoln MKZ that were assembled in Hermosillo between July 2015 and March 2018. In a separate recall, Ford recalled 5872 Focus and Fusion models for a potential clutch plate fracture and risk of fire. Ford will make the necessary repairs to affected vehicles at no additional expense to the customer. This recall includes 2013 to 2016 Ford Focus models with 1.0-liter Fox GTDI engines with B6 manual transmissions built at its Michigan assembly plant between July 2014 and June 2016 and 2013 to 2015 Ford Fusions with 1.6-liter Sigma GTDI engines and B6 manual transmissions assembled in Hermosillo between March 2012 and June 2014. 7 INDUSTRY NEWSASIA-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP SIGNED BROADCOM’S BID FOR QUALCOMM BLOCKEDPresident Donald Trump has blocked the proposed sale of Qualcomm to Singapore-based rival Broadcom for $140 billion, citing national security as his reason for doing so. Qualcomm, which is regarded for its strength in research and development, would serve as a perfect complement to Broadcom’s existing offerings. Currently, Qualcomm is a leader in the chipmaking market, with Broadcom and Canada and ten other nations (Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam) have officially signed onto the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), making it one of the largest trade agreements in the world. Notably absent was the United States who was originally part of the agreement in its early stages but withdrew. The CPTPP will reduce tariffs in signa-tory countries that together represent over 13 percent of the world economy and a market of 500 million people. Had the United States not pulled out of the agreement, the agreement would have encompassed nearly 40 percent of the global economy. When the United States withdrew from negotiations, with it went several conditions, which simplified the nego-tiations for the remaining cohort. The eleven remaining countries forged on and the revised agreement was final-ized in January 2018. The signing offi-cially took place on March 8, 2018 in Santiago, Chile. WESTJET “SWOOP”ING IN ON CANADA’S LOW-COST AIR TRAVEL MARKETWestJet’s Swoop airline is set for take-off, joining others in the growing low-cost airfare market in Canada come June 2018. Regarded as an ultra-low-cost airline, Swoop will offer 24 flights a week from Hamilton, many of which will go to locations not already served by WestJet. Some of the destinations include Abbotsford, Halifax, Edmonton and Winnipeg. It will also fly from Abbotsford to Edmonton. Swoop will operate as an independent entity, apart from WestJet, as it has its own operators certificate, its own reser-vation system, airport check-in counters and employees. Passengers will travel in its fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft and have the benefit of taking one personal item on the flight. Additional luggage can be checked for a fee. Other upgrade options include wi-fi, entertainment, additional legroom and snacks and refreshments. Huawei not far behind. The deal, had it been approved, would have created the world’s third largest microchip company, behind Intel and Samsung. With growing emphasis on the develop-ment of 5G wireless technology, the deal could have enabled China to pull ahead in the market, increasing its competitive advantage over the U.S. Competitiveness could have served as a further motiva-tion for blocking the bid. 8 INDUSTRY NEWS AMAZON ACQUIRES SMART DOORBELL MAKER RINGAmazon has made its second largest acquisition to date with the purchase of Ring, a startup smart doorbell maker. The deal is valued at between $1.2 and $1.8 billion and will serve as a major tool in Amazon’s arsenal in its home delivery services. The acqui-sition is second only to its purchase of Whole Foods last year. Ring is expected to remain an independent business but both companies will benefit from this acquisition as it will bolster their position in the home security market. Amazon previously backed Ring though its Alexa Fund. SELF-DRIVING UBER KILLS PEDESTRIANFor the first time, a pedestrian has been struck and killed by a self-driving Uber vehicle in Tempe, Arizona. A woman was crossing the street in the overnight hours, reportedly doing so outside of a designated crosswalk when the vehicle, which was in autono-mous mode with a human safety driver at the wheel, struck her, killing her. Uber is fully cooperating with authorities and has since suspended testing of its autonomous fleet in various cities including Tempe, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, San Francisco, California and Toronto, as concerns are being raised about the operation of self-driving vehicles and the implications they can have for public safety. 9 Next >